Devices for retrieving an obstruction in a bodily duct of a patient

ABSTRACT

A device for capturing and removing an obstruction in a bodily duct of a patient. The device includes a cylindrical body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis. According to some implementations the cylindrical body is comprised of a plurality of closed cell structures arranged in diagonal rows around the longitudinal axis. At least some of closed cell structures have substantially the same shape and size. According to some implementations at least some of the closed cell structures of substantially the same shape and size occupy a same circumferential location in the cylindrical body and are longitudinally separated from one another by no less than two, three, four or more diagonal rows of closed cell structures. According to other implementations the closed cell structures include diagonally extending struts having at least a curve portion and a straight portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/123,517,filed Sep. 6, 2018, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.15/887,173, filed Feb. 2, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,179,000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices for retrieving obstructionsfrom bodily ducts.

BACKGROUND

An obstruction in a bodily duct of a patient can lead to chronic healthissues, and even death, if the obstruction is left in place.

An example of such an obstruction is an embolus located in a bloodvessel of a patient. The embolus may be a blood clot (thrombus), a fatglobule (fat embolism) or foreign material. An embolism can causepartial or total blockage of blood flow in the affected vessel, such asa vessel in the neurovasculature of a patient. The capture and removalof such blockages can prevent the occurrence of a stroke or at leastpartially reverse the effects of a stroke.

A urinary tract obstruction is another example in which a blockageinhibits the flow of urine through its normal path (the urinary tract),including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Blockage can becomplete or partial and can lead to kidney damage, kidney stones, andinfection if not removed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are devices for capturing and removing obstructionsfrom bodily ducts of a patient.

According to some implementations a device for retrieving an obstructionin a bodily duct of a patient is provided that comprises a cylindricalbody having a circumference and a longitudinal axis and including aplurality of cell structures of substantially the same size and shapearranged in diagonal rows around the longitudinal axis. According tosome implementations the plurality of cell structures each includesfirst, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth struts, each of the first,second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth struts having a proximal end anda distal end. According to some implementations the proximal end of thefirst strut is coupled to the proximal end of the second strut, thedistal end of the third strut is coupled to the distal end of the fourthstrut, the distal end of the first strut is coupled to the proximal endof the fifth strut, the proximal end of the third strut is coupled tothe distal end of the fifth strut, the distal end of the second strut iscoupled to the proximal end of the sixth strut, the proximal end of thefourth strut is coupled to the distal end of the sixth strut. Accordingto some implementations the proximal and distal ends of the fifth strutare longitudinally aligned with one another and reside at a firstcircumferential location and the proximal and distal ends of the sixthstrut are longitudinally aligned with one another and reside at a secondcircumferential location, the second circumferential location beingspaced apart from the first circumferential location. According to someimplementations, when the retrieval device is cut longitudinally andlaid flat on a surface at least a first portion of each of the first,second, third and fourth struts is curved and at least a second portionof each of the first, second, third and fourth struts is straight.

According to other implementations, each of the first, second, third andfourth struts has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and amid-portion with the mid-portion being located between the proximal anddistal end portions, the first and second end portions being curved andthe mid-portion being straight when the device is cut longitudinally andlaid flat on a surface.

According to other implementations a device for capturing and removingan obstruction in a bodily duct of a patient is provided that comprisesa cylindrical body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis andincluding a plurality of closed cell structures arranged in a pluralityof diagonal rows disposed around the longitudinal axis. At least some ofthe plurality of closed cell structures being substantially the sameshape and size, at least some of the closed cells structures ofsubstantially the same shape and size occupying a same circumferentiallocation in the cylindrical body and being longitudinally separated fromone another by no less than two, three, four or more diagonal rows ofclosed cell structures.

These and other advantages and features will become evident in view ofthe drawings and the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an obstruction retrieval systemaccording to some implementations;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an obstruction retrieval deviceaccording to some implementations;

FIG. 2B is a view of the obstruction retrieval device of FIG. 2A as ifthe device were cut along a line parallel to its longitudinal axis andlaid flat on a surface;

FIGS. 2C and 2D each are an enlarged view of a portion of the cellstructures depicted in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2E illustrates dimensional characteristics of cell structures of anobstruction retrieval device according to some implementations;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an obstruction retrieval deviceaccording to another implementation;

FIG. 3B is a view of the obstruction retrieval device of FIG. 3A as ifthe device were cut along a line parallel to its longitudinal axis andlaid flat on a surface;

FIG. 4 illustrates the obstruction retrieval device of FIG. 2B with aradiopaque element dispersed therein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a strut of an obstruction retrievaldevice having a feature for receiving therein a portion of a radiopaqueelement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an obstruction retrieval system 10according to one implementation. The retrieval system includes aself-expanding retrieval device 12 comprising a cylindrical body, suchas those depicted in FIGS. 2A and 3A, having a proximal end 14 that iscoupled to the distal end 18 of an elongate wire 16 via a plurality ofantennas 15. Each of the plurality of antennas 15 is connected at aproximal end to the distal end 18 of the elongate wire 16, and connectedat a distal end to the proximal end 14 of the cylindrical body. Asdiscussed below in more detail, according to some implementations theproximal end of the cylindrical body is coupled to the distal end of theelongate wire by a single antenna that extends proximally from a side ofthe cylindrical body.

In the example of retrieving an embolus from a blood vessel in theneurovasculature of a patient, according to some implementations, in usethe self-expanding retrieval device is loaded into a distal end portionof a delivery catheter (not shown) and delivered with the deliverycatheter to the site of the embolus. According to some implementationsthe distal end portion of the delivery catheter is positioned across theembolus and then withdrawn proximally to deploy the retrieval deviceinto the embolus. According to other implementations the distal endportion of the delivery catheter that carries the retrieval device ispositioned distal to the embolus and then proximally withdrawn to deploythe retrieval device at a location distal to the embolus. In such a casethe embolus is captured by retracting the retrieval device 12 proximallyinto the embolus. This is accomplished by a clinician pulling on aproximal end portion 17 of the elongate wire 14 that resides outside thepatient.

Keeping with the neurovascular obstruction example, upon the embolusbeing at least partially captured inside the retrieval device 12, theretrieval device and the delivery catheter are singularly or togetherproximally withdrawn to effectuate a removal of the obstruction from thepatient. According to some implementations the retrieval device 12 is atleast partially withdrawn into the lumen of the delivery catheter duringthe removal process.

According to some implementations the retrieval device 12 has a lengthof between about 10 millimeters to about 100 millimeters and theelongate wire 14 has a length of between about 150 centimeters to about250 centimeters.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the anatomy of certain bodilyducts is tortuous having regions of tight bends. A problem with manyexisting retrieval devices is that the captured obstruction tends todisengage with the retrieval device as the retrieval device ismaneuvered through this tortuous path. The retrieval devices disclosedherein comprise features that enhance their ability to capture anobstruction and to more effectively remove the obstruction from thepatient through a tortuous path comprising tight bends.

FIGS. 2A and 3A illustrate exemplary retrieval devices 20 and 60,respectively. FIGS. 2B and 3B respectively show the retrieval devices 20and 60 as if the retrieval devices were cut along a line parallel totheir longitudinal axis and laid flat on a surface. Each of theretrieval devices 20 and 60 respectively comprises a cylindrical body 21and 61 having a central longitudinal axis 22 and 62. Each of thecylindrical bodies 20 and 60 is respectively comprised of a plurality ofclosed cell structures 24 and 64 that are disposed about itslongitudinal axis. FIGS. 2A and 3A represent the retrieval devices in anas-cut configuration typically resulting from the laser cutting of ametallic cylindrical tube made of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy.It is important to note, however, that other manufacturing methods maybe used to construct the retrieval devices disclosed herein.

In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the retrieval device 20 includestwelve diagonal rows of cell structures R1-R12 and possesses a centralbody portion 25 that extends between rows R3 and R11. According to someimplementation, the cell structures that form the central body portion25 are of substantially the same size and shape. According to someimplementations, each row of cell structures in the central body portion25 includes four cell structures that together surround the longitudinalaxis 22 of the cylindrical body 21.

In the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the retrieval device 60 includeseight diagonal rows of cell structures R1-R8 and possesses a centralbody portion 65 that extends between rows R2 and R7. According to someimplementation, the cell structures that form the central body portion65 are of substantially the same size and shape. According to someimplementations, each row of cell structures in the central body portion65 includes three cell structures that together surround thelongitudinal axis 62 of the cylindrical body 61.

Retrieval devices having less than eight rows of cell structures, morethan twelve rows of cell structures, and greater than four cellstructures in a given row are also contemplated.

As explained above in the discussion of FIG. 1, the cylindrical bodyportion of the retrieval device 12 is coupled to the distal end of anelongate wire 16 via the use of one or more antennas 15 that extendproximally from the proximal end 14 of the cylindrical body.

In the implementation of FIGS. 2A and 2B the retrieval device 20includes three antennas 28 a, 28 b and 28 c that are straight andarranged parallel to the longitudinal axis 22 of the cylindrical body 21in the as-cut configuration as shown in FIG. 2A. After the retriever 20has been formed and polished, tabs or loops 29 a-c that may be locatedat the proximal-most end of the antennas 28 a-c are removed. Theantennas 28 a-c are then connected to the distal end of an elongatemember 16 like that disclosed above in conjunction with the descriptionof FIG. 1. That is, the proximal ends of the antennas 28 a-c converge toa common area where they are attached to the distal end 18 of theelongate wire 16. By virtue of their convergence, the antennas 28 a-ccause the retrieval device 20 to have a partially closed proximal end.According to other implementations the retrieval device 20 comprises asingle antenna. For example, according some implementations theretrieval device 20 includes a single antenna that extends from a sideof the cylindrical body 61 so that the proximal end of the retrievaldevice is fully open.

In the implementation of FIGS. 3A and 3B the retrieval device 60includes two antennas 68 a and 68 b that are straight and arrangedparallel to the longitudinal axis 62 of the cylindrical body 61 in theas-cut configuration. After the retriever 60 has been cut and polished,the proximal ends of the antennas 68 a-b, which may comprise tabs 69a-b, are connected to the distal end of an elongate member 16 like thatdisclosed above in conjunction with the description of FIG. 1. That is,the proximal ends of the antennas 68 a-b converge to a common area wherethey are attached to the distal end 18 of the elongate wire 16. Byvirtue of their convergence, the antennas 28 a-b cause the retrievaldevice 20 to have a partially closed proximal end. According to otherimplementations the retrieval device 60 comprises fewer or more thanthree antennas. For example, according some implementations theretrieval device 60 includes a single antenna that extends from a sideof the cylindrical body so that the proximal end of the retrieval deviceis fully open.

In the implementations of FIGS. 2A and 3A, the distal end of theretrieval devices 20 and 60 each respectively comprises an open distalend 26 and 66. According to other implementations the distal ends of theretrieval devices may be partially closed, for example, by joiningtogether the distal-most end segments 27 and 67 of the devices. In theexample of FIGS. 2A and 3A, according to some implementations thedistal-most end segments 27 and 67 comprise features on which radiopaquemarkers may be affixed.

According to some implementations, the cylindrical body 21 of retrievaldevice 20 has a length of about 30 millimeters and an expanded outerdiameter of about 5 millimeters. According to some implementations, thecylindrical body of retrieval device 60 has a length of about 20millimeters and an expanded outer diameter of about 3 millimeters.

In terms of capturing an obstruction (e.g. an embolus) in a stent-likeretrieval device like those disclosed herein, the effectiveness ofcapturing the obstruction is compromised in the current state of the artretrieval devices as a result of the frequency by which the longitudinaland circumferential location of like (e.g. same size and shape) cellstructures are repeated. To address this problem, according to someimplementations, like cell structures in retrieval devices 20 and 60occupying a same circumferential location are separated by no less thantwo diagonal rows. In the implementations depicted in FIGS. 2B and 3B,like cell structures occupying a same circumferential location areseparated by no less than four diagonal rows. An advantage of theseconfigurations is that a greater degree of irregularity exits in thestructure of the retrieval device along its length that enhances itsability to entrap an obstruction. This is a result of the obstructionbeing exposed to a greater number of different geometries along thelength of the retrieval device which reduces slippage and improvesintegration of the obstruction into the retrieval device.

With reference to FIG. 2B, like cell structures A1 and A2 occupy a samecircumferential location in the central body portion 25 of thecylindrical body 21 with cell structure A1 residing in diagonal row R4and cell structure A2 residing in diagonal row R9 with there being fourintervening rows R5-R8 separating cell structures A1 and A2. Likewise,like cell structures B1 and B2 occupy a same circumferential location inthe central body portion 25 of the cylindrical body 21 with cellstructure B1 residing in diagonal row R6 and cell structure B2 residingin diagonal row R11 with there being four intervening rows R7-R10separating cell structures B1 and B2. In addition, like cell structuresC1 and C2 occupy a same circumferential location in the central bodyportion 25 of the cylindrical body 21 with cell structure C1 residing indiagonal row R3 and cell structure C2 residing in diagonal row R8 withthere being four intervening rows R4-R7 separating cell structures C1and C2. According to other implementations, like cell structuresoccupying a same circumferential location are separated by no less thanthree intervening diagonal rows of cell structures.

With reference to FIG. 3B, like cell structures A1 and A2 occupy a samecircumferential location in the central body portion 65 of thecylindrical body 61 with cell structure A1 residing in diagonal row R2and cell structure A2 residing in diagonal row R7 with there being fourintervening rows R3-R6 separating cell structures A1 and A2. Likewise,like cell structures B1 and B2 occupy a same circumferential location inthe central body portion 65 of the cylindrical body 61 with cellstructure B1 residing in diagonal row R3 and cell structure B2 residingin diagonal row R8 with there being four intervening rows R4-R7separating cell structures B1 and B2. According to otherimplementations, like cell structures occupying a same circumferentiallocation are separated by no less than three intervening diagonal rowsof cell structures.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of rows R3-R5 located in the central bodyportion 25 of retrieval device 20 with cell structure A1 residing in rowR4. The configuration of cell structure A1 is representative of at leasta majority of the cell structures within the retrieval device 20. Cellstructure A1 includes a first strut 1, a second strut 2, a third strut3, a fourth strut 4, a fifth strut 5 and a sixth strut 6, with each ofthe first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth struts having aproximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first strut 1 iscoupled to the proximal end of the second strut 2 at a firstlongitudinal location L1, the distal end of the third strut 3 is coupledto the distal end of the fourth strut 4 at a second longitudinallocation L2 distal to the first longitudinal location L1, the distal endof the first strut 1 is coupled to the proximal end of the fifth strut 5at a third longitudinal location L3 that is located between the firstand second longitudinal locations L1 and L2, the proximal end of thethird strut 3 is coupled to the distal end of the fifth strut 5 at afourth longitudinal location L4 located between the second and thirdlongitudinal locations L2 and L3, the distal end of the second strut 2is coupled to the proximal end of the sixth strut 6 at a fifthlongitudinal location L5 that is located between the second and thirdlongitudinal locations L2 and L3, the proximal end of the fourth strut 4is coupled to the distal end of the sixth strut 6 at a sixthlongitudinal location L6 that is located between the second and fifthlongitudinal locations L2 and L5.

As best seen in FIGS. 2B and 3B, among the plurality of cell structuresin retrieval devices 20 and 60, adjacent cell structures share at leastone of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth struts with oneanother with the adjacent cell structures being both longitudinally andcircumferentially offset from one another.

In the implementation of FIG. 2C, when the cylindrical body 21 of theretrieval device 20 is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface thethird and fourth longitudinal locations L3 and L4 are longitudinallyaligned with one another (that is, a straight line drawn betweenlongitudinal locations L3 and L4 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 22of the cylindrical body 21) and reside at a common first circumferentiallocation, and the fifth and sixth longitudinal locations L5 and L6 arelongitudinally aligned with one another (that is, a straight line drawnbetween longitudinal locations L5 and L6 is parallel to the longitudinalaxis 22 of the cylindrical body 21) and reside at a common secondcircumferential location with the second circumferential location beingspaced apart from the first circumferential location.

According to some implementations, when the cylindrical body 21 of theretrieval device 20 is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface atleast one of the fifth strut 5 and sixth strut 6 is straight. Accordingto other implementations each of the fifth strut 5 and sixth strut 6 isstraight as shown in FIG. 2C. An advantage of one or both of the fifthand sixth struts being straight is that it advantageously endows theretriever 20 with a greater stiffness along its length than wouldotherwise exist if the struts were curved.

According to some implementations the fourth longitudinal location L4and fifth longitudinal location L5 are circumferentially non-alignedwith one another as shown in FIG. 2C. According to other implementationsthe fourth longitudinal location L4 and fifth longitudinal location L5are circumferentially aligned with one another. A circumferentiallyalignment of the fourth and fifth longitudinal locationscircumferentially aligns the distal end of the fifth strut 5 with theproximal end of the sixth strut 6 to produce a longitudinally continuousstraight section within the cell structure A1, albeit circumferentiallyoffset, that assists in providing the retriever with zones of enhancedstiffness.

As discussed above, a problem associated with removing a capturedobstruction from a patient through a tortuous pathway is that when theretrieval device carrying the obstruction encounters and conforms to atight bend, the obstruction is prone to being at least partiallydislodged from the retriever. An advantage of providing a retriever withenhanced longitudinal stiffness is that it allows the retriever to atleast partially straighten the bends through which it passes during theobstruction removal process. This reduces the risk of the obstructionbeing dislodge from the retrieval device as it is carried across thebends.

Another advantage of providing zones of enhanced longitudinal stiffnesswithin the retrieval device is that it reduces the risk of the retrievaldevice buckling in procedures requiring the retrieval device to bepushed through the delivery catheter and/or through the bodily duct ofthe patient.

According to some implementations when the device is cut longitudinallyand laid flat on a surface, as depicted in FIG. 2D, one or more or allof the first strut 1, second strut 2, third strut 3 and fourth strut 4has a curved proximal end portion, a curved distal end portion and astraight portion located between the curved proximal and distal endportions. According to some implementations the straight portion islocated in a middle portion of the strut. The curved proximal and distalend portions 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b of struts 1-4contribute to providing a smooth transition between the connected strutsof the cell structure and also provide the retrieval device 20 with arequisite amount of flexibility to enable it to navigate through theanatomy of a patient. The straight portion 1 c, 2 c, 3 c, 4 c of struts1-4 enhances the longitudinal stiffness of the retrieval device 20 toprovide the retrieval device with an ability to at least partiallystraighten the bends through which it passes during an obstructionremoval process. As explained above, this reduces the risk of theobstruction being dislodged from the retrieval device as it is carriedacross tight bends. Another advantage of the mid-portion being straightis that it reduces the risk of the retrieval device buckling (ascompared to entirely curved struts) in procedures requiring theretrieval device to be pushed through the delivery catheter and/orthrough the bodily duct of the patient.

According to some implementations one or more or all of struts 1-4includes one or more straight portion that cumulatively occupy 20% to80% of the overall length of the respective strut. According to otherimplementations one or more or all of struts 1-4 includes one or morestraight portions that cumulatively occupy 30% to 70% of the overalllength of the respective strut. According to some implementations one ormore or all of struts 1-4 includes a single continuous straight portionthat occupies 20% to 80% of the overall length of the respective strut.According to other implementations one or more or all of struts 1-4includes a single continuous straight portion that occupies 30% to 70%of the overall length of the respective strut.

As noted above, according to some implementations the cylindrical body21 of retrieval device 20 has a length of about 30 millimeters and anexpanded outer diameter of about 5 millimeters. With reference to FIG.2E, according to some implementations the cell structures in the centralbody portion 25 of retrieval device 20 have a cell height H of betweenabout 4.3 millimeters and about 4.6 millimeters, a cell length L1 ofbetween about 4.6 millimeters and about 4.8 millimeters, acircumferential offset CO of between about 0.7 millimeters and about 0.8millimeters, a longitudinal offset LO of between about 0.7 millimetersand about 0.9 millimeters, a strut width W of between about 0.07millimeters and about 0.08 millimeters, with struts 5 and 6 having alength L2 of between about 0.9 millimeters to about 1.0 millimeters.

According to some implementations the cylindrical body 61 of retrievaldevice 60 has a length of about 20 millimeters and an expanded outerdiameter of about 3 millimeters. With reference to FIG. 2E, according tosome implementations the cell structures in the central body portion 65of retrieval device 60 have a cell height H of between about 3.7millimeters and about 3.95 millimeters, a cell length L1 of betweenabout 4.9 millimeters and about 5.5 millimeters, a circumferentialoffset CO of between about 0.7 millimeters and about 0.8 millimeters, alongitudinal offset LO of between about 1.15 millimeters and about 1.25millimeters, a strut width W of between about 0.07 millimeters and about0.08 millimeters, with struts 5 and 6 having a length L2 of betweenabout 0.9 millimeters to about 1.0 millimeters.

As discussed above, retrieval devices 20 and 60 may be coupled to thedistal end of an elongate wire 16 by one or more antennas that extendproximally from a proximal end of the cylindrical bodies 21 and 61,respectively. According to some implementations in the as-cutconfiguration of the retrieval devices 20 and 60, the one or moreantennas are straight and aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe cylindrical body as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B with at leastone of the antennas being longitudinally aligned with the proximal anddistal ends of at least one of the fifth struts 5 and/or with theproximal and distal ends of at least one of the sixth struts 6. That is,a line extending between the straight antenna and across the proximaland distal ends of at least one of the fifth and sixth struts isstraight and disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of thecylindrical body of the retrieval device. For example, as shown in FIG.2B, each of antennas 28 a and 28 b is longitudinally aligned with atleast one of the fifth and sixth struts of the cell structures residingin the central body portion 25 of the retrieval device 20. An advantageof such a configuration is that it reduces the risk of the retrievaldevice buckling when being pushed by the elongate wire 16.

It is sometimes important for the treating clinician to visualize theretrieval device during an obstruction remove procedure to ensure thatthe device is properly placed before being deployed. For this reason,according to some implementations the retrieval device 20 is equippedwith a radiopaque wire or ribbon 35 that meanders between the inside andoutside of the cylindrical body 21 in a pattern that preferably extendsalong a substantial portion of the length of the cylindrical body asshown in FIG. 4. According to some implementations at least some of thestruts of the retrieval device comprise a retaining feature 36, as shownin FIG. 5, through which the radiopaque wire or ribbon 35 passes as itmeanders through the cylindrical body 21 of the retrieval device 20.According to some implementations the retaining features 36 are formedduring a laser cutting operation employed to construct the struts of theretrieval device. As discussed above, according to some implementationsthe retrieval device is constructed by laser cutting a cylindricalmetallic tube to form the struts of the device. In the implementation ofFIG. 5 the retaining feature 36 includes two L-shape like members 37that are separated by a gap 38 through which the radiopaque wire orribbon 35 passes when it assembled on the strut.

According to some implementations, the radiopaque wire or ribbon 35 isassembled on the retrieval device when the retrieval device is in afully expanded state, and as such, does not impact the outward radialforce of the retrieval device during its use. Further, according toother implementations, the radiopaque wire or ribbon 35 is assembled onthe retrieval device in a manner such that it does not affect theflexure stiffness of the retrieval device.

While the foregoing disclosure contains many specifics, these should notbe construed as limitations on the scope of what is claimed or of whatmay be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific toparticular exemplary implementations. Certain features that aredescribed in this specification in the context of separateimplementations can also be implemented in combination in a singleimplementation. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single implementation can also be implemented in multipleimplementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Variations,modifications and enhancements to the described examples andimplementations and other implementations may be made based on what isdisclosed.

The following clauses disclose in an unlimited way additionalimplementations, with each clause representing an implementation.Additional implementations are represented by one or more of theimplementations of one group or groups of clauses with one or moreimplementations of another group or groups of clauses. Group A through Cclauses are provided.

Group A clauses:

Clause 1. A device for capturing and removing an obstruction in a bodilyduct of a patient, the device comprising:

a cylindrical body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis andincluding a plurality of closed cell structures arranged in a pluralityof diagonal rows disposed around the longitudinal axis, at least some ofthe plurality of closed cell structures being substantially the sameshape and size, at least some of the closed cells structures ofsubstantially the same shape and size occupying a same circumferentiallocation in the cylindrical body and being longitudinally separated fromone another by no less than two diagonal rows of closed cell structures.

Clause 2. The device according to clause 1, wherein the plurality ofclosed cell structures occupying a same circumferential location arelongitudinally separated by no less than three diagonal rows of closedcell structures.

Clause 3. The device according to clause 1, wherein the plurality ofclosed cell structures occupying a same circumferential location and arelongitudinally separated by no less than four diagonal rows closed cellstructures.

Clause 4. The device according to clause 1, wherein the plurality ofcell structures each includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth andsixth struts, each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixthstruts having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of thefirst strut being coupled to the proximal end of the second strut, thedistal end of the third strut being coupled to the distal end of thefourth strut, the distal end of the first strut being coupled to theproximal end of the fifth strut, the proximal end of the third strutbeing coupled to the distal end of the fifth strut, the distal end ofthe second strut being coupled to the proximal end of the sixth strut,the proximal end of the fourth strut being coupled to the distal end ofthe sixth strut.

Clause 5. The device according to clause 4, wherein the proximal anddistal ends of the fifth strut are longitudinally aligned with oneanother and residing at a first circumferential location, the proximaland distal ends of the sixth strut being longitudinally aligned with oneanother and residing at a second circumferential location, the secondcircumferential location being spaced apart from the firstcircumferential location.

Clause 6. The device according to clause 5, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least one of the fifthand sixth struts is straight.

Clause 7. The device according to clause 5, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface each of the fifth andsixth struts is straight.

Clause 8. The device according to clause 5, wherein the proximal end ofthe first strut being coupled to the proximal end of the second strut ata first longitudinal location, the distal end of the third strut beingcoupled to the distal end of the fourth strut at a second longitudinallocation distal to the first longitudinal location, the distal end ofthe first strut being coupled to the proximal end of the fifth strut ata third longitudinal location, the proximal end of the third strut beingcoupled to the distal end of the fifth strut at a fourth longitudinallocation, the distal end of the second strut being coupled to theproximal end of the sixth strut at a fifth longitudinal location, theproximal end of the fourth strut being coupled to the distal end of thesixth strut at a sixth longitudinal location.

Clause 9. The device according to clause 8, wherein the fourthlongitudinal location and fifth longitudinal location arecircumferentially aligned.

Clause 10. The device according to clause 5, further comprising a firstantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical bodycoupled to the distal end of the first antenna, when the device is cutlongitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of thefirst antenna is straight, the at least portion being longitudinallyaligned with the proximal and distal ends of at least one of the fifthstruts and/or with the proximal and distal ends of at least one of thesixth struts.

Clause 11. The device according to clause 7, further comprising a firstantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical bodycoupled to the distal end of the first antenna, wherein when the deviceis cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion ofthe first antenna is straight, the at least portion being longitudinallyaligned with at least one of the fifth struts and/or at least one of thesixth struts.

Clause 12. The device according to clause 10, further comprising asecond antenna having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when thedevice is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least aportion of the second antenna is straight, the at least portion of thesecond antenna being longitudinally aligned with the proximal and distalends of at least one of the fifth struts and/or with the proximal anddistal ends of at least one of the sixth struts.

Clause 13. The device according to clause 10, further comprising asecond antenna having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when thedevice is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least aportion of the second antenna is straight, the at least portion beinglongitudinally aligned with at least one of the fifth struts or at leastone of the sixth struts.

Clause 14. The device according to clause 1, wherein the cylindricalbody has an open distal end.

Clause 15. The device according to clause 10, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof the first antenna being coupled to the distal end of the elongatewire.

Clause 16. The device according to clause 11, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof the first antenna being coupled to the distal end of the elongatewire.

Clause 17. The device according to clause 5, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of eachof the first, second, third and fourth struts is curved.

Clause 18. The device according to clause 17, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of eachof the first, second, third and fourth struts is straight.

Clause 19. The device according to clause 5, wherein each of the first,second, third and fourth struts has a proximal end portion, a distal endportion and a mid-portion, the mid-portion located between the proximaland distal end portions, the first and second end portions being curvedand the mid-portion being straight when the device is cut longitudinallyand laid flat on a surface.

Clause 20. The device according to clause 4, wherein among the pluralityof cell structures, adjacent cell structures share at least one of thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth struts with one another,the adjacent cell structures being both longitudinally andcircumferentially offset from one another.

Clause 21. The device according to clause 10, further comprising asecond antenna and a third antennal, each of the second and thirdantennas having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the distal endsof the first, second and third antennas being coupled to the cylindricalbody at different circumferential locations from one another.

Clause 22. The device according to clause 21, further comprising anelongate wire coupled to the proximal end of each of the first, secondand third antennas.

Clause 23. The device according to clause 8, wherein the firstlongitudinal location and the second longitudinal location are notlongitudinally aligned with one another.

Clause 24. The device according to clause 23, wherein each of the first,second, third and fourth struts has a proximal end portion, a distal endportion and a mid-portion, the mid-portion located between the proximaland distal end portions, the first and second end portions being curvedand the mid-portion being straight when the device is cut longitudinallyand laid flat on a surface, the first longitudinal location and thesecond longitudinal location are not longitudinally aligned with oneanother.

Clause 25. The device according to clause 19, wherein the mid-portion ofone or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 20% to 80% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 26. The device according to clause 19, wherein the mid-portion ofone or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 30% to 70% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Group B clauses:

Clause 1. A device for capturing an obstruction in a bodily duct of apatient, the device comprising:

a cylindrical body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis andincluding a plurality of cell structures of the same size and shapearranged in diagonal rows around the longitudinal axis, the plurality ofcell structures each includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth andsixth struts, each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixthstruts having a proximal end and a distal end,

the proximal end of the first strut being coupled to the proximal end ofthe second strut, the distal end of the third strut being coupled to thedistal end of the fourth strut, the distal end of the first strut beingcoupled to the proximal end of the fifth strut, the proximal end of thethird strut being coupled to the distal end of the fifth strut, thedistal end of the second strut being coupled to the proximal end of thesixth strut, the proximal end of the fourth strut being coupled to thedistal end of the sixth strut, the proximal and distal ends of the fifthstrut being longitudinally aligned with one another and residing at afirst circumferential location, the proximal and distal ends of thesixth strut being longitudinally aligned with one another and residingat a second circumferential location, the second circumferentiallocation being spaced apart from the first circumferential location,when the device is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface atleast a first portion of each of the first, second, third and fourthstruts is curved and at least a second portion of each of the first,second, third and fourth struts is straight.

Clause 2. The device according to clause 1, wherein each of the first,second, third and fourth struts has a proximal end portion, a distal endportion and a mid-portion, the mid-portion being located between theproximal and distal end portions, the first and second end portionsbeing curved and the mid-portion being straight when the device is cutlongitudinally and laid flat on a surface.

Clause 3. The device according to clause 1, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least one of the fifthand sixth struts is straight.

Clause 4. The device according to clause 1, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface each of the fifth andsixth struts is straight.

Clause 5. The device according to clause 2, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least one of the fifthand sixth struts is straight.

Clause 6. The device according to clause 2, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface each of the fifth andsixth struts is straight.

Clause 7. The device according to clause 1, wherein a first of theplurality of cell structures is longitudinally aligned with a second ofthe plurality of cell structures, an imaginary longitudinal straightline running parallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the fifthstruts or the sixth struts of the first and second cell structuresintersects at least two intervening cell structures.

Clause 8. The device according to clause 1, wherein a first of theplurality of cell structures is longitudinally aligned with a second ofthe plurality of cell structures, an imaginary longitudinal straightline running parallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the fifthstruts or the sixth struts of the first and second cell structuresintersects at least three intervening cell structures.

Clause 9. The device according to clause 1, wherein a first of theplurality of cell structures is longitudinally aligned with a second ofthe plurality of cell structures, an imaginary longitudinal straightline running parallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the fifthstruts or the sixth struts of the first and second cell structuresintersects at least two intervening cell structures.

Clause 10. The device according to clause 1, wherein a first of theplurality of cell structures is longitudinally aligned with a second ofthe plurality of cell structures, an imaginary longitudinal straightline running parallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the fifthstruts or the sixth struts of the first and second cell structuresintersects at least three intervening cell structures.

Clause 11. The device according to clause 1, wherein a first of theplurality of cell structures is longitudinally aligned with a second ofthe plurality of cell structures, an imaginary longitudinal straightline running parallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the fifthstruts or the sixth struts of the first and second cell structuresintersects at least four intervening cell structures.

Clause 12. The device according to clause 1, wherein at least some ofthe plurality of cell structures occupy a same circumferential locationand are longitudinally separated by no less than two diagonal rows.

Clause 13. The device according to clause 1, wherein at least some ofthe plurality of cell structures occupy a same circumferential locationand are longitudinally separated by no less than three diagonal rows.

Clause 14. The device according to clause 1, wherein at least some ofthe plurality of cell structures occupy a same circumferential locationand are longitudinally separated by no less than four diagonal rows.

Clause 15. The device according to clause 1, wherein the distal end ofthe fifth strut and the proximal end of the sixth strut arecircumferentially aligned.

Clause 16. The device according to clause 1, wherein the proximal end ofthe first strut is coupled to the proximal end of the second strut at afirst longitudinal location, the distal end of the third strut beingcoupled to the distal end of the fourth strut at a second longitudinallocation distal to the first longitudinal location, the distal end ofthe first strut being coupled to the proximal end of the fifth strut ata third longitudinal location, the proximal end of the third strut beingcoupled to the distal end of the fifth strut at a fourth longitudinallocation, the distal end of the second strut being coupled to theproximal end of the sixth strut at a fifth longitudinal location, theproximal end of the fourth strut being coupled to the distal end of thesixth strut at a sixth longitudinal location.

Clause 17. The device according to clause 16, wherein the fourthlongitudinal location and fifth longitudinal location arecircumferentially aligned.

Clause 18. The device according to clause 16, wherein the firstlongitudinal location and second longitudinal location are notlongitudinally aligned.

Clause 19. The device according to clause 1, further comprising a firstantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical bodycoupled to the distal end of the first antenna, when the device is cutlongitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of thefirst antenna is straight, the at least portion being longitudinallyaligned with the proximal and distal ends of at least one of the fifthstruts and/or with the proximal and distal ends of at least one of thesixth struts.

Clause 20. The device according to clause 19, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least one of the fifthand sixth struts is straight.

Clause 21. The device according to clause 19, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface each of the fifth andsixth struts is straight.

Clause 22. The device according to clause 19, further comprising asecond antenna having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when thedevice is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least aportion of the second antenna is straight, the at least portion of thesecond antenna being longitudinally aligned with the proximal and distalends of at least one of the fifth struts and/or with the proximal anddistal ends of at least one of the sixth struts.

Clause 23. The device according to clause 1, wherein the cylindricalbody has an open distal end.

Clause 24. The device according to clause 19, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof the first antenna being coupled to the distal end of the elongatewire.

Clause 25. The device according to clause 22, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof each of the first antenna and second antenna being coupled to thedistal end of the elongate wire.

Clause 26. The device according to clause 1, wherein among the pluralityof cell structures, adjacent cell structures share at least one of thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth struts with one another,the adjacent cell structures being both longitudinally andcircumferentially offset from one another.

Clause 27. The device according to clause 19, further comprising asecond antenna and a third antennal, each of the second and thirdantennas having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the distal endsof the first, second and third antennas being coupled to the cylindricalbody at different circumferential locations from one another.

Clause 28. The device according to clause 27, further comprising anelongate wire coupled to the proximal end of each of the first, secondand third antennas.

Clause 29. The device according to clause 1, wherein the first portionof one or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 20% to 80% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 30. The device according to clause 1, wherein the first portionof one or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 30% to 70% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 31. The device according to clause 2, wherein the mid-portion ofone or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 20% to 80% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 32. The device according to clause 2, wherein the mid-portion ofone or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 30% to 70% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Group C clauses:

Clause 1. A device for capturing an obstruction in a bodily duct of apatient, the device comprising:

a cylindrical body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis andincluding a plurality of cell structures arranged around thelongitudinal axis, the plurality of cell structures each includes first,second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth struts, each of the first,second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth struts having a proximal end anda distal end,

the proximal end of the first strut being coupled to the proximal end ofthe second strut at a first longitudinal location, the distal end of thethird strut being coupled to the distal end of the fourth strut at asecond longitudinal location distal to the first longitudinal location,the distal end of the first strut being coupled to the proximal end ofthe fifth strut at a third longitudinal location, the proximal end ofthe third strut being coupled to the distal end of the fifth strut at afourth longitudinal location, the distal end of the second strut beingcoupled to the proximal end of the sixth strut at a fifth longitudinallocation, the proximal end of the fourth strut being coupled to thedistal end of the sixth strut at a sixth longitudinal location, each ofthe third and fourth longitudinal locations being longitudinally alignedwith one another and residing at a first circumferential location, eachof the fifth and sixth longitudinal locations being longitudinallyaligned with one another and residing at a second circumferentiallocation, the second circumferential location being spaced apart fromthe first circumferential location.

Clause 2. The device according to clause 1, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least one of the fifthand sixth struts is straight and arranged parallel to the longitudinalaxis.

Clause 3. The device according to clause 1, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface each of the fifth andsixth struts is straight and arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 4. The device according to clause 1, wherein the fourthlongitudinal location and fifth longitudinal location arecircumferentially aligned.

Clause 5. The device according to clause 1, further comprising a firstantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical bodycoupled to the distal end of the first antenna, wherein when the deviceis cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion ofthe first antenna is straight, at least a portion of the first antennais straight and longitudinally aligned with the proximal and distal endsof at least one of the fifth struts and/or with the proximal and distalends of at least one of the sixth struts.

Clause 6. The device according to clause 2, further comprising a firstantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical bodycoupled to the distal end of the first antenna, wherein when the deviceis cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion ofthe first antenna is straight, the at least portion being longitudinallyaligned with at least one of the fifth struts and/or at least one of thesixth struts.

Clause 7. The device according to clause 3, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of thefirst antenna is straight, the at least portion being longitudinallyaligned with at least one of the fifth struts and/or at least one of thesixth struts.

Clause 8. The device according to clause 5, further comprising a secondantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when the deviceis cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion ofthe second antenna is straight, the at least portion of the secondantenna being longitudinally aligned with the proximal and distal endsof at least one of the fifth struts and/or with the proximal and distalends of at least one of the sixth struts.

Clause 9. The device according to clause 7, further comprising a secondantenna having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein when the deviceis cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion ofthe second antenna is straight, the at least portion beinglongitudinally aligned with at least one of the fifth struts or at leastone of the sixth struts.

Clause 10. The device according to clause 1, wherein the cylindricalbody has an open distal end.

Clause 11. The device according to clause 5, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof the first antenna being coupled to the distal end of the elongatewire.

Clause 12. The device according to clause 5, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof the first antenna being coupled to the distal end of the elongatewire.

Clause 13. The device according to clause 8, further comprising anelongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof each of the first antenna and second antenna being coupled to thedistal end of the elongate wire.

Clause 14. The device according to clause 1, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of eachof the first, second, third and fourth struts is curved.

Clause 15. The device according to clause 14, wherein when the device iscut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least a portion of eachof the first, second, third and fourth struts is straight.

Clause 16. The device according to clause 1, wherein each of the first,second, third and fourth struts has a proximal end portion, a distal endportion and a mid-portion, the mid-portion located between the proximaland distal end portions, the first and second end portions being curvedand the mid-portion being straight when the device is cut longitudinallyand laid flat on a surface.

Clause 17. The device according to clause 1, wherein among the pluralityof cell structures, adjacent cell structures share at least one of thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth struts with one another,the adjacent cell structures being both longitudinally andcircumferentially offset from one another.

Clause 18. The device according to clause 5, further comprising a secondantenna and a third antennal, each of the second and third antennashaving a proximal end and a distal end, each of the distal ends of thefirst, second and third antennas being coupled to the cylindrical bodyat different circumferential locations from one another.

Clause 19. The device according to clause 20, further comprising anelongate wire coupled to the proximal end of each of the first, secondand third antennas.

Clause 20. The device of clause 1, wherein the first longitudinallocation and the second longitudinal location are not longitudinallyaligned with one another.

Clause 21. The device of claim 16, wherein the first longitudinallocation and the second longitudinal location are not longitudinallyaligned with one another.

Clause 22. The device according to clause 15, wherein the straightportion of one or more or all of the first, second, third and fourthstruts occupies 20% to 80% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 23. The device according to clause 15, wherein the first portionof one or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 30% to 70% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 31. The device according to clause 16, wherein the mid-portion ofone or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 20% to 80% of an overall length of the respective strut.

Clause 32. The device according to clause 16, wherein the mid-portion ofone or more or all of the first, second, third and fourth strutsoccupies 30% to 70% of an overall length of the respective strut.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for capturing an obstruction in a bodilyduct of a patient, the device comprising: a cylindrical body having acircumference and a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of cellstructures formed by struts, the plurality of cell structures being ofthe same size and shape and arranged in diagonal rows around thelongitudinal axis, the plurality of cell structures including first,second, third, fourth and fifth cell structures, the first cellstructure being surrounded by the second, third, fourth and fifth cellstructures and sharing at least one strut with each of the second,third, fourth and fifth cell structures, the plurality of cellstructures each includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixthstruts, each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth strutshaving a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the firststrut being coupled to the proximal end of the second strut at a firstlongitudinal location, the distal end of the third strut being coupledto the distal end of the fourth strut at a second longitudinal locationdistal to the first longitudinal location, the distal end of the firststrut being coupled to the proximal end of the fifth strut at a thirdlongitudinal location, the proximal end of the third strut being coupledto the distal end of the fifth strut at a fourth longitudinal location,the distal end of the second strut being coupled to the proximal end ofthe sixth strut at a fifth longitudinal location, the proximal end ofthe fourth strut being coupled to the distal end of the sixth strut at asixth longitudinal location, the fourth longitudinal location beingproximal to the sixth longitudinal location, the proximal and distalends of the fifth strut being longitudinally aligned with one anotherand residing at a first circumferential location, the proximal anddistal ends of the sixth strut being longitudinally aligned with oneanother and residing at a second circumferential location, the secondcircumferential location being spaced apart from the firstcircumferential location, when the device is cut longitudinally and laidflat on a surface at least a first portion of each of the first, second,third and fourth struts is curved and at least a second portion of eachof the first, second, third and fourth struts is straight.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, third andfourth struts has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and amid-portion, the mid-portion being located between the proximal anddistal end portions, the proximal and distal end portions being curvedand the mid-portion being straight when the device is cut longitudinallyand laid flat on a surface.
 3. The device according to claim 1, whereinwhen the device is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface atleast one of the fifth and sixth struts is straight.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein when the device is cut longitudinally andlaid flat on a surface each of the fifth and sixth struts is straight.5. The device according to claim 2, wherein when the device is cutlongitudinally and laid flat on a surface at least one of the fifth andsixth struts is straight.
 6. The device according to claim 2, whereinwhen the device is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface each ofthe fifth and sixth struts is straight.
 7. The device according to claim1, wherein the cylindrical body has a proximal end and a distal end anda first of the plurality of cell structures is longitudinally alignedwith a second of the plurality of cell structures, the first of theplurality of cell structures being located in the cylindrical bodyproximally to the second of the plurality of cell structures, each ofthe first and second plurality of cell structures having a proximal endand a distal end, an imaginary longitudinal straight line runningparallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the distal end of thefirst of the plurality of cell structures with the proximal end of thesecond of the plurality of cell structures intersects at least twointervening cell structures, the second of the plurality of cellstructures being located nearer the first of the plurality of cellstructures than any of another of the plurality of cell structures thatare longitudinally aligned with the first of the plurality of cellstructures.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein a first of theplurality of cell structures is longitudinally aligned with a second ofthe plurality of cell structures, an imaginary longitudinal straightline running parallel to the longitudinal axis and joining the fifthstruts or the sixth struts of the first and second cell structuresintersects at least three intervening cell structures, the second of theplurality of cell structures being located nearer the first of theplurality of cell structures than any of another of the plurality ofcell structures that are longitudinally aligned with the first of theplurality of cell structures.
 9. The device according to claim 1,wherein a first of the plurality of cell structures is longitudinallyaligned with a second of the plurality of cell structures, an imaginarylongitudinal straight line running parallel to the longitudinal axis andjoining the fifth struts or the sixth struts of the first and secondcell structures intersects at least four intervening cell structures,the second of the plurality of cell structures being located nearer thefirst of the plurality of cell structures than any of another of theplurality of cell structures that are longitudinally aligned with thefirst of the plurality of cell structures.
 10. The device according toclaim 1, wherein a first of the plurality of cell structures and asecond of the plurality of cell structures occupy a same circumferentiallocation and are longitudinally separated by no less than two diagonalrows, the second of the plurality of cell structures being locatednearer the first of the plurality of cell structures than any of anotherof the plurality of cell structures that are longitudinally aligned withthe first of the plurality of cell structures.
 11. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein a first of the plurality of cell structures and asecond of the plurality of cell structures occupy a same circumferentiallocation and are longitudinally separated by no less than three diagonalrows, the second of the plurality of cell structures being locatednearer the first of the plurality of cell structures than any of anotherof the plurality of cell structures that are longitudinally aligned withthe first of the plurality of cell structures.
 12. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein a first of the plurality of cell structures and asecond of the plurality of cell structures occupy a same circumferentiallocation and are longitudinally separated by no less than four diagonalrows, the second of the plurality of cell structures being locatednearer the first of the plurality of cell structures than any of anotherof the plurality of cell structures that are longitudinally aligned withthe first of the plurality of cell structures.
 13. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the distal end of the fifth strut and the proximalend of the sixth strut are circumferentially aligned.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the fourth longitudinal location and fifthlongitudinal location are circumferentially aligned.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a first antenna having aproximal end and a distal end, the cylindrical body coupled to thedistal end of the first antenna, when the device is cut longitudinallyand laid flat on a surface at least a portion of the first antenna isstraight, the at least a portion of the first antenna beinglongitudinally aligned with the proximal and distal ends of at least oneof the fifth struts and/or with the proximal and distal ends of at leastone of the sixth struts.
 16. The device according to claim 15, whereinwhen the device is cut longitudinally and laid flat on a surface atleast one of the fifth and sixth struts is straight.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein when the device is cut longitudinally andlaid flat on a surface each of the fifth and sixth struts is straight.18. The device according to claim 15, further comprising an elongatewire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of thefirst antenna being coupled to the distal end of the elongate wire. 19.The device according to claim 1, wherein among the plurality of cellstructures, adjacent cell structures share at least one of the first,second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth struts with one another, theadjacent cell structures being both longitudinally and circumferentiallyoffset from one another.
 20. The device according to claim 2, whereinthe mid-portion of one or more or all of the first, second, third andfourth struts occupies 30% to 70% of an overall length of the respectivefirst, second, third and fourth struts.